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Source:
Neath Port Talbot Badger Group
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American Badgers are solitary animals and meet only during mating seasons, in late summer and early autumn. It is supposed that males mate with more than one female and can travel long distances in search of a partner. This fact explains a greater male home range compared to that of females. Though males are reported to sometimes stay near a female during the gestation period, they never take part in rearing the young.
Males are usually sexually mature at the age of one year. It is estimated that about 30-40% of yearlings are capable of breeding. Many American Badger females are said to breed in their first summer. This date appears to be uncommon for other mammals close to the American Badger in physical characteristics.
American Badgers - Delayed Implantation
Delayed implantation is a common phenomenon in the animals comprising the weasel family. The core of the process is in delayed embryo development. Fertilization occurs in July-August and is followed by blastocysts, an early stage of embryo development. Yet, the fetus will not progress until late winter. As a rule, the American Badger female gives birth in March-April.
This phenomenon has been studied a lot and is thought to be advantageous to the American Badger. Delayed implantation allows weasels to breed in summer, the most suitable time for mating. American Badgers have more available food and are rather active. Their chances of meeting in summer are greater than in the colder seasons. The time of gestation and actual time of litter birth (late winter-early spring) are favorable for sound embryo development and successful rearing since food is sufficient at this period.
American Badgers - Rearing
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Source:
Neath Port Talbot Badger Group
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American Badger's average litter size is 2 kits. Generally, a female can give birth to 1 to 5 kits. Lightly furred, American Badgers are born blind. No sooner than four weeks will they see their mother and littermates. Fed on milk up to the age of eight weeks, American Badgers spend most of the time in a comfortably made burrow with corners filled with grass. Individual Badgers are said to move from one den to another carrying their offspring in the mouth. Most kits leave their mother in autumn. They travel in search of a suitable area and often jeopardize themselves by crossing highways. Many American Badgers are found dead on the roads in late summer through autumn. Inability to find food on their own also leads to drastic results. Besides, inexperienced Badges are often the victims of predators, such as the Golden Eagle, Cougar, and Coyote. Thus, juveniles have to face a lot of dangers when starting a life of their own. It is estimated that American Badgers under the age of one year old comprise about 75% deaths among the species.
American Badgers - General Information Links
American Badger Data - Information on possible names, distribution of American Badger subspecies, biological data and habitat requirements, and fire effects and use.
American Badger Description - General information on the American Badger including description, habitat, and habits.
American Badgers in Texas - Description and photograph of Taxidea taxus from the Mammals of Texas.
American Badger Information - Summarizes available information for all of the world's badger species. Also includes a photo gallery.
American Badger Overview - Contains information on its appearance, range, habitat, diet, ecology, and reproduction.
American Badger Profile - Pictures accompanied by comments of the species' habitat, distribution, diet, and habits.
American Badger Traits - Geographic range, physical characteristics, food habits, and habitat.
American Badger: Jacksoni Subspecies - Description, biology, population and distribution, habitat, threats, protection, and recovery efforts.
Badger - Physical characteristics, habitat, geographic range, reproductive characteristics, and more.
Badger - Taxidea taxus - Article on the American Badger will help you to learn more about this animal.
Badger at Safari Wildlife Fund - Learn more about the American Badger and its habits.
Badger Nature - Visit the site to explore the American Badger and learn more about its appearance, habitat, and diet.
Badger Statistics - Information on the Badger's size, lifestyle, and distribution.
Badger Timelines - Learn facts about the American Badger and the range of distribution in different periods of time.
Badgers in Nature - Description, life history, and distribution.
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Source:
The New Forest Badger Watch
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Badgers in Utah - American Badger's description and distribution in Utah.
Badgers on the Web - Includes links, message board, news, merchandise, research information, and a children's introduction to badgers.
Do You Want to be a Badger? - Article on the American Badger's habits and characteristics.
Fact Sheet - Basic information on the American Badger including appearance, habits, and status.
Foods of American Badgers - Site feature information on foods of American Badgers in West-central Minnesota and Southeastern North Dakota during the duck-nesting season.
North American Badger - Information about Taxidea taxus from the Animal Diversity Web.
Still at Home in the Badger State - Unearthing the facts about Badgers, scratching out a living, habitat to sustain the species, and Badger sightings chart (1987-1998).
The North American Badger - Description of the species, diet, behavior patterns, and more.
The Virtual Badger Sett - Badger movies, sounds, photographs, drawings, links.
Virtual Zoo - Facts from North American Badger life, toys, posters, and books.
Western Riverside County - Badger Account - Data characterization, habitat, biogeography, and other information.
Wildlife and Nature - This page will help you to broaden your knowledge on the American badger.
